We  have all had situations where we were blessed in the worship service, and before we could get to the door; we heard something negative said about it. The reason for the negativity is to attempt to pour water on the fire that was kindled in us. We shouldn’t  be surprised because everybody in the worship service is not there to praise God. In 2 Corinthians 4:4, Paul talks about how the God of this world has blinded the minds of unbelievers; to stop them from receiving the gospel and seeing the glory of the Lord.  In essence, Paul is letting us know it’s an inside job.  The enemy has people on the inside for the sole purpose of putting out the fire. When the people of God start to praise Him, there is always somebody trying to quiet the praise. The people of God have to stay alert, because the enemy wants  to shut us down. Every year there are  churches that are shutting their doors, because the fire has been put out.

We read in 2 Corinthians 4:1 “Therefore, since it is by God’s mercy we are engaged in this ministry, we do not lose heart”.  We have to remember we would not be able to engage in ministry without the mercy of God.  Since God has given us mercy, we won’t let anything stop us from doing what we were called to do.  As Paul was writing this to encourage the Corinthians, he was also encouraging himself.  Before becoming a Christian, Paul persecuted the people of God. When he began to preach, there was always somebody on the inside talking about what he used to do. But, he would not let anybody put water on his fire. Why, he realized the mercy he received was great. The Lord gave him a chance to turn his life around. Therefore, nothing was going to cause him to lose heart, even if there were people on the inside trying to put out the fire.
What is God showing you? No matter where you come from, or what you did in your past don’t lose heart. It’s through the mercy of God that you are able to engage in ministry. Understand it’s an inside job of people that are trying to pour water on your fire. As long as you don’t give up they will not be successful, and the fire will spread! Hallelujah!